Iranđź•Ł
State in Southwest Asia. Official name - the Islamic Republic of Iran. Population – 85.9 million people (as of 2020). Capital – Tehran. Official language – Farsi (Persian). Government type – theocratic republic with elements of religious and republican authority. Main religion – Islam.
Iran
Greeting
The accepted form of greeting in the business environment of Iran is a handshake. If a person's status is lower than that of their interlocutor, they should be the first to extend their hand for the greeting.
In the initial stages of developing business relationships, it is quite appropriate to initiate the handshake, that is, to be the first to extend your hand for the greeting. By doing so, you acknowledge the higher (relative to yours) status of your Iranian colleague (although this may not necessarily be the case). This gesture will be perceived as polite behavior on your part.
Men who are friends may hug or exchange light cheek kisses. With foreign colleagues, relationships remain quite formal and polite for a considerable time.
Verbal greetings accompanying handshakes are: “Salaam” (meaning “peace”) is used for “hello” at the beginning of the meeting and “khoda hafez” (meaning “may God protect you”) is usually said at the end.
Physical touch and eye contact between genders are not customary due to strong Muslim traditions in this country. Foreign women should wait for the man to initiate the handshake before extending their hand for the greeting. The same applies to foreign men, who should observe the woman's behavior while greeting.
The traditional Iranian greeting in formal situations is a gesture with the right hand, which the speaker places on their chest over the heart. Simultaneously, the speaker slightly bows their head, as if bowing to the other person. This gesture expresses the speaker's sincere feelings and respect towards the interlocutor. This form of greeting is also accepted in other countries in the region, such as Pakistan, as well as in some Arab countries, like Iraq.
Introduction
Under Iranian naming traditions, each person has a first name and a last name. It is possible to have two first names, one being the primary and the other supplementary. Middle names or patronymics are not customary in this culture.
To some extent, Iranian names reflect a person's background, both in terms of family lineage and religious traditions. For example, male names like Mohammed...
Exchange of Business Cards
In Iranian business practice, exchanging business cards typically occurs between individuals holding certain (quite high) positions in their companies.
Business cards should contain all the necessary standard information, including last name and first name, position, company name, and current contact details. Be sure to include your professional qualifications if you have any.
I...
Small Talk: Overview
Small talk is given great importance in the business practices of Iran; it serves as a kind of prelude to the actual negotiations. Iranian businessmen consider it important to get to know their potential partners better, as establishing relationships is the foundation of any business. During such conversations, a sense of trust can be built between partners.
Don’t rush through small tal...
Preferred Topics
Your positive remarks about the rich history and culture of Iran will undoubtedly be appreciated by your Iranian partner. Iranians are proud of their heritage and past achievements.
Family matters are traditionally an important topic of conversation in Iranian society. Show personal interest in your partner, inquire about their health and affairs, and ask questions about their family. H...
Taboo Topics
The topic of family is generally popular in the business culture of Iran, but it is best to avoid questions about the female members of the family – wives, mothers, sisters, and especially daughters.
Do not make statements that even remotely emphasize the superiority of the West over Eastern, and particularly Iranian, civilizations.
Do not associate Iran with the Arab world and ...
Personal Space
In this culture, the distance of comfortable communication is smaller than, for example, in Central and Northern European countries or the USA.
If your partner in Iran stands too close to you during a conversation, do not consider this offensive or even aggressive behavior. Try not to increase the distance by taking a step back, as this will be perceived negatively.
While Irania...
Communication Specifics
Iran is a multinational and multi-ethnic state, so the style and manners of communication can vary depending on the ethnicity of the person you are dealing with.
In general, Iranian speech is not characterized by directness. On the contrary, they often speak figuratively, not calling things by their names. In communication, the main thing for them is not to offend the interlocutor or pu...
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